Stingher 34 GT – 2 x 300hp Verado 4.6L V8
Stingher 34 GT – 2 x 300hp Verado 4.6L V8
Mazziena 26CC – V8 350hp Honda
The cabin of a boat is not just a room; it’s a sacred retreat soaked in salt and dreams. Below the deck, the thoughts that chart new courses are born. It’s the place where the day ends in a salty light, and the night begins with the rocking of waves lulling our mind. Nestled among cushions and sea-whispers, you gaze at the stars through the porthole and think, “Tomorrow, perhaps we’ll find our dream island, that no GPS can mark.”
Cause everyone who’s ever slept in a cabin rocked by the waves never forgets the true taste of the journey.
The first impressions were overwhelmingly positive — both for the new cabin model by Mazziena-Ribs and for its pairing with the 350hp Honda V8 outboard.
Mazziena 26CC offers far more than its length suggests, making it an ideal family-friendly inflatable boat for nautical camping, featuring two cabins, a bathroom, a kitchen, refrigerator, and spacious storage areas.
The cabin is the core element that transforms this boat from a mere means of transportation into a genuine space for relaxation and comfort — a complete solution for those seeking autonomy, convenience, and a high standard of on-board living, without sacrificing the agility and performance of an open RIB.
One of the main advantages of having a cabin is the ability to sleep on board. The enclosed space provides a quiet, protected environment for rest, making it perfect for multi-day getaways — especially for those who favor secluded beaches and remote destinations, offering the ultimate sense of freedom and independence.
The cabin also serves as a shelter from harsh weather — either scorching sun, sudden rain, or strong winds — offering safety and comfort at any hour, and proving especially secure for children.Its inclusion of a separate shower area, WC, and sink enhances onboard functionality and makes long-term stays significantly more practical and autonomous.
Moreover, the cabin offers generous storage: clothes, gear, and provisions can be safely stowed away without cluttering the deck. This keeps the rest of the vessel clean, functional, and easy to navigate — improving the overall onboard experience.
Wide gunwales on either side of the cabin allow easy access to the bow, while two grab rails on either side of the cabin roof provide safe footing during movement.
The bow platform is spacious, allowing comfortable embarkation and disembarkation, and houses the windlass and anchor chain. There's also ample space for storing bow lines.e provides access to the windlass, while the second, boasting a massive volume and a height of 1.18 meters, can accommodate all the vessel’s equipment and multiple passengers’ luggage.
The helm and co-helm seats are mounted on fiberglass bases that leave enough room between them for easy movement. Behind them are two more independent rear-facing seats, each with valuable storage underneath.
A small step leads to the cabin entrance, where the headroom reaches 1.84m. On the left, a counter measuring 55cm x 42cm houses a sink and faucet, with useful storage and the onboard refrigerator beneath. On the right is the separate bathroom, with a height of 1.70m and a length of 0.80m.
At the bow, the cabin bed stretches 2.15m long, with a maximum width of 1.80m at the foot and 0.55m at the head. On either side, there are two handy lockers.
Four portholes and two fixed longitudinal windows facing forward provide ample natural light and ventilation, making overnight stays for two adults especially pleasant.
Between the fiberglass helm structures and the stern sofa (1.80m wide), a large open deck space can be converted into a dining area for five people.
The stern sundeck (2.08m x 0.85m) lifts along with the rear bench to reveal a second cabin measuring 2.05m x 1.20m — spacious enough to accommodate two adults.
To the sides of the transom, two very practical swim platforms extend toward the back of the engine, protecting it during stern docking and allowing easy water access — perfect for any sea activity.
At Sea
Honda’s 350hp V8 engine was mounted on the transom of the Mazziena 26CC, featuring a 1.79:1 gear ratio and spinning a 16"x18" three-blade stainless steel propeller.The day of testing brought NW winds at 4-5 Beaufort, offering the ideal conditions to assess both the boat’s hull and structural robustness.
The Honda engine seemed perfectly matched with the hull design of the 26CC, delivering impressive performance.
This new V8 outboard not only stood out for its performance but also for its sleek, aerodynamic aesthetics. Beneath its elegant cowling lies a powerful 5-liter engine equipped with a highly durable forged crankshaft — made from the same alloy specs as that used in the iconic Acura NSX supercar. Fully balanced, the shaft eliminates the need for additional counterweights, allowing ultra-smooth and quiet operation even at high rpms.
The BLAST system (Boosted Low Speed Torque) deserves special mention, enhancing throttle response at low rpms for immediate acceleration and maximum torque from the get-go. It also contributes significantly to minimizing vibration, offering a noticeably smoother ride.
In terms of fuel economy, Honda’s commitment to efficient cruising shines through with its Lean Burn Control technology. This system automatically adjusts the fuel/air mixture based on load and conditions, achieving up to 17% savings at cruising speeds.
During testing, vibrations were virtually nonexistent, and noise levels remained impressively low — even at mid-range rpms, which we typically use for cruising.In fact, the cockpit was so quiet that we could hold normal conversations without raising our voices — a testament to the engineering excellence of Honda Marine.
With 220 liters of fuel, 80 liters of water, three people on board, and full standard equipment (without the auxiliary engine), the knife-like bow sliced through the waves with ease, while the deep-V hull softened each landing with remarkable smoothness.
With the wind behind us and our speed consistently above 40 knots, the hull skipped over the waves with the bow confidently piercing wave crests — staying high and stable even when not perfectly trimmed.
Beyond its soft ride, the Mazziena’s solid construction was especially evident during re-entry after airborne jumps — proof of the boat’s excellent build quality.
After thoroughly enjoying the ride and putting the Mazziena 26CC through a demanding sea trial, we headed for a sheltered cove to record our performance data.
The boat got on plane in 4 seconds, standing on plane at 2600 rpm at 12 knots, accelerated to 30 knots in 10 seconds, and hit 40 knots in 16 seconds.
At 3000 rpm, it cruised at 18 knots consuming 1.4 liters per nautical mile, while at 3500 rpm it ran at 24 knots with consumption remaining steady.
At 4000 rpm, the boat achieved 29.5 knots burning 1.6 liters per mile, and at 4500 rpm, it reached 33.5 knots at 1.9 liters per mile.
At wide-open throttle, the Mazziena 26CC topped out at 46 knots, reaching the maximum rpm recommended by the manufacturer.
You can see our measurements in the table below:
A closer look at the test data confirms that no major tweaks are needed.
Slip rates across the whole rpm range were excellent, justifying the boat’s brisk acceleration and throttle responsiveness in all conditions.
We recommend purchasing a spare propeller one inch shorter for fully loaded trips, allowing the engine to consistently reach its max rpm range.
Manufacturer:
Mazziena-ribs
Geranion Loutraki, 20300 Karpounari
Tel.: +30 2744062703 / 6937282013
info@mazziena-ribs.com
